SOLFEGGIO
"Just because I can't sing doesn't mean I won't." – Bob Sanders
"The better voice doesn't mean being a better singer." – Luciano Pavarotti
"Just because I can't sing doesn't mean I won't." – Bob Sanders
"The better voice doesn't mean being a better singer." – Luciano Pavarotti
Solfeggio (sometimes solfège or solfa) can re-wire your brain and change your musical life. College music majors will likely be required to learn solfeggio – take it very seriously! High school students should consider it "AP" music – get a head start. I prefer Movable Do.
"90% of music is tonal; 90% of that is major; 90% of minor is diatonic." That's not 100% accurate, but largely true – in my opinion – YMMV. But, fluency in major scales will take one a long, long, way – this holds true for solfège.
Try to learn simple songs (Row, Row, Row Your Boat, etc.) in solfège. Rochut/Bordogni studies lend themselves to solfeggio. It is not necessary to be a solfège wizard to benefit – but it certainly can’t hurt. This can be easy for some folk and tough for others. If it is tough for you, be patient with yourself; it will pay big dividends.
NOTE: Different people have different musical perception abilities. Actual tone-deafness (amusia) is rare – about 4% of the population – and it requires neurological diagnosis. Pitch discrimination develops at different ages in different children. Kids are sometimes told they “can’t sing” because of this. They tend to believe it. It can be traumatic (it was for me). Try to avoid teaching a child what they can't do!
NOTE: early exposure to music can be powerful.
Difficulty singing can have two components: poorly developed pitch discrimination and poorly developed vocal control. Both can lead to frustration, but both can be improved with practice – and patience!
Almost everyone can improve their musical perception, and most can become proficient with ear-training – but it takes work. Music is a language; it is easier to learn early in life. Second generation musicians are often seemingly effortless “native speakers.” For the rest of us, it can be a painstakingly acquired second language. The later in life one starts, the more difficult it can be – but not impossible! I came upon solfège late in life. I cannot claim to be very good at it, but it has helped me a lot. (I have not used the Kodály Method, but I understand it is excellent for young folk.)
If you're embarrassed to sing – HIDE – but sing! Bad singing is better than no singing!
"90% of music is tonal; 90% of that is major; 90% of minor is diatonic." That's not 100% accurate, but largely true – in my opinion – YMMV. But, fluency in major scales will take one a long, long, way – this holds true for solfège.
Try to learn simple songs (Row, Row, Row Your Boat, etc.) in solfège. Rochut/Bordogni studies lend themselves to solfeggio. It is not necessary to be a solfège wizard to benefit – but it certainly can’t hurt. This can be easy for some folk and tough for others. If it is tough for you, be patient with yourself; it will pay big dividends.
NOTE: Different people have different musical perception abilities. Actual tone-deafness (amusia) is rare – about 4% of the population – and it requires neurological diagnosis. Pitch discrimination develops at different ages in different children. Kids are sometimes told they “can’t sing” because of this. They tend to believe it. It can be traumatic (it was for me). Try to avoid teaching a child what they can't do!
NOTE: early exposure to music can be powerful.
Difficulty singing can have two components: poorly developed pitch discrimination and poorly developed vocal control. Both can lead to frustration, but both can be improved with practice – and patience!
Almost everyone can improve their musical perception, and most can become proficient with ear-training – but it takes work. Music is a language; it is easier to learn early in life. Second generation musicians are often seemingly effortless “native speakers.” For the rest of us, it can be a painstakingly acquired second language. The later in life one starts, the more difficult it can be – but not impossible! I came upon solfège late in life. I cannot claim to be very good at it, but it has helped me a lot. (I have not used the Kodály Method, but I understand it is excellent for young folk.)
If you're embarrassed to sing – HIDE – but sing! Bad singing is better than no singing!
The following links are good:
Here are some preliminary solfeggio drills and some easy tunes to solfège.
Once an easy tune is learned in solfège play it on the instrument – in every possible key – by ear. When proficiency develops, expand your "by ear" repertoire as much as possible.
AND . . . The "Eyes & Ears Book" is great!